Method of running small pipe in a tubing string



May 28 1957 G. H. TAuscH A METHOD 0F RUNNING SMLL PIPE IN A TUBING STRING y k FiledApril 9. 1954 I? WL JNVENTOR. `G/'Aberf H. Tausch, BY

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METHOD F RUNNING SMALL PIPE IN A TUBING STRING Gilbert H. Tausch, Houston, Tex.,- assignor, by mesne assignments, to EssoResearchand Engineering Cornpany, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application April 9, 1954, Serial No. 422,161`

2 Claims. (Cl.416646).`

The present invention is directed to a method for running, a small pipe in `a `well through a tubing string. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method for running a tubing ,extension` in a tubing in a cased well. ln its more specific aspects, the` invention is directed to running long strings of small diameter pipe through a tubing while supported on a wireline. t ,l

Thepresent invention may be briefly described `as a method for running small diameter pipe through a tubing in a cased and tubed well in which the small diameter pipe is inserted or placed `in the tubing and then provided with suicient buoyancy with a fluid to support, in part,

the weight ofthe pipe in the tubing. i Thereafter the buoyant pipe ismoved `through thetubing `by means of the wire line.

The present invention vcontemplates that the small diameter pipe maybe moved `through the tubing either on running `in the small diameter `pipe orremovingjthe small diameter pipe from the tubing.

This small diameter pipe may betermed a tubing extension which serves to lengthen the effective length of the tubing which is placed at a fixed point in the well, for example, above the uppermost of a series of producing strata or formation. i n

The small diameter pipe will usually have a diameter of the order of approximately l inch and may be constructed of magnesium, aluminum orheavier metals, such asiron` ortsteel. When exceedingly long lengths of small diameter pipe are run into a well, for example, 50010 1000 feet or more, thewireline to suspend or support this pipe may have insulcient strength `to support-it'if means are not provided for supporting the pipe; for example, the diameter of the Wire line is ofthe order of 0.082 inch. If especially long lengths of small diameter pipe are run in the well, the strength of the wire line may be exceeded and the tubing extension or small diameter pipe may be lost.

In accordance with the present invention the weight of the small diameter pipe is partly supported by providing buoyancy for the small diameter pipe or tubing extension. 'I'his buoyancy may be provided by trapping a co1- umn of air in the small diameter pipe by plugging at least one end of the small diameter pipe or tubing extension. Buoyancy may also be provided by flowing a uid, such as mud, oil, or salt water and the like, down the casing annulus and upwardly through the tubing as the small diameter pipe 0r tubing extension is moved through the tubing either during the lowering or raising operation.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to the `drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a lower end of the small diameter pipe or tubing extension with a plug arranged therein;

Fig. 2 shows the upper end of the small diameter pipe or tubing extension with a suitable hanger provided with a plug or prong to close the upper end;

Fig. 3 illustrates the running of the device with plugs in each end in a cased and tubed well; and

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Fig. 4 illustrates the running of the small diameter pipe in a cased and tubed well in which the buoyancy is provided `by circulation.

Referring now `to the drawing in which identical numerals will be employed to designate identical parts, numeral 11 designates a small diameter pipe or (tubing extension which is provided with a plug 12 which is suitably sealed .against pipe 11 by means of `O-rings or,` .sealing members 13 provided in recesses or grooves 14 in the plug 12.

` The plug 12 is retained inthe lower end of the tubing extension 11 by means of a threaded collar 15 which ,is`

held by mating threads 16 to the tubing extension 11.

The plug is connected to the collar 15 by means of a` shear pin 17 which may be suitably constructed of aluminum.

The `plug 12 may be constructed of aluminum or magnesiumV as may be desired.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the tubing extension 11 is shown suspended in the upper end of a tubing string `18.

by means of an extension hanger 19` which is attached to awire line 20. The extension hanger is provided with al collar 21 which is threadably connected .by mating threads 21a tothe extension hanger 19 and to the upper end of the tubing extension 11 by mating threads 22. The extension hanger 1,9 is provided with a. prong 23' connected to plug 23 the latter of which is provided with O- rings 24 to suitably plug the upper end of the tubing ex-` tension 11. The upper end of the tubing` 18 is provided with a blowout preventer generally indicated by numeral 25 and which is provided with hydraulicrams 26 connected by means 27 toa source of hydraulic power, not shown, but `which maybe manually operated. The blowout preventer 25 is connected at its lower end by threads 28 to the vtubing 18 and at its upper end by threads 2 9 to a lubricator 30. n

Referring now to Fig. 3, a device of the natureshown in Figs.` l and 2 in detail, is lowered on the end of the wire line 20 through a lubricator 30 in the tubing 1S which is provided adjacent its lower end with a landing nipple 18.` `The landing nipple 18 may suitably comprise other suspending or supporting means, such as latching dogs, pipe slips, shoulders and the like. The tubing 18` s suitably arranged ina casing 31 which is cemented in placeiwith cement 32 and which has been perforated in aiformation or strata C to provide perforations 33.

These perforations may suitably haveV been formed by= 11. 'I'hus the extension 11 is run through a lubricator 30 on the end of the wire line 20 arranged over a sheave 34 and which is wound on a drum 35 carried on a service truck 36. If desired, it is possible to displace some of the uid filling the well by lowering the tubing extension 11 provided with the plug 12 and/or 23 to allow trapment of air in the tubing extension 11 and provide buoyancy. Lowering of the tubing extension 11 causes some of the fluid in the well to be displaced through iilow line 37 to the mud pit as may be desired. Also while the tubing extension 11 is being run in the hole in the embodiment of Fig. 3, fluid, such as has been described, may be pumped at least during part of the running in operation by means of pump 38 through line 39 by way of line 40 in the casing annulus A and thence upwards through the tubing 18 which, in itself, will confer buoyancy on the tubing extension 11 and allow long lengths of the extension 11 to be lowered into the Well bore or removed therefrom.

Referring now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the tubing extension 11 is arranged in the tubing 18. In this particular instance the tubing extension 11 is open at both ends for passage of Huid therethrough. Assuming that the tubing extension 11 is of exceedingly long length in excess of 500 to 1000 feet and the weight on the wire 3 line is such that the wire line 20 could not support the weight of the small pipe 11, in this instance fluid, such as mud, may be withdrawn from the mud pit by line 39 and pumped by means of pump 38 through pipe 40 into annulus A and thence upwardly through ythe extensionj member 11 and outwardly from tubing 18 by flow line 37 until the upper end of extension member 11 lands in the landing nipple 18'. This allows the weight of the small pipe 11 or extension member to be'supported in part by the ascending fluid. The rate of flow may be slowly de,- creased to allow the extension member 1'1` to move downwardly in the tubing 18 until it rests on the landing nipple 18. To remove the extension member either with the device of Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, uid may again berpumped into casing annulus A and up the tubing 18 through thc flow line 37 and raising the extension member on a wire line attached thereto. i This aids in Ilifting the tubing ex-I tension 11 and lessens the weight imposed on the Wire line 20. As the surface is reached, rams 26 and the blowout preventer 25 may be closed to hold the extension member 11 and the pumping may then be stopped.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there has been devised a method for running heavy or long strings of small pipe on a wire line, such as one of about 0.082 inches in diameter. i placed in the lower end of the extension member which is subsequently removed. The upper end of the exten-l sion member is plugged with a prong or plug, such as theone connected to the running tool, which, in turn, is connected to the wire line. The two plugs serve to trap air into the extension member and lessen the weight of the extension member conferring buoyancy thereon thus allowing longer lengths of the extension member to be run through the tubing than was possible heretofore. When the extension member is seated in the lower end of the tubing, the running tool and the plug are pulled and thc aluminum plug in the lower end of the tubing is blown,V

from the end of the extension member by applying pressure in the tubing.

Another way of providing buoyancy for long or heavyV strings of pipe involves using a ram-type blowout preventer or a slip-type arrangement to support the extension member as it is run in the well. are attached to the extension hanger and a lubricator is attached to the Christmas tree of the well. been described, is then circulated down the annulus and up the tubing by pumping into the casing. The rams are open and the pumping rate is decreased until the tubing extension moves downward, at least part of the weight of the tubing extension being supported by the upward In one instance, a plug is,

Suitable wire line tools` Fluid, Aas hasv flow of the moving fluid. When it is desired to remove the heavy or lengthy extension member from the well through the tubing, uid is again pumped into the casing, travels up the tubing and thus aids in lifting the extension member. 'I'he weight imposed on the wire line on retrieving the extension iscontrolled by the pumping rate. When the extension member reaches the surface, the rams of the blowout lpreventer are closed lto hold the extension member, the pumping is stopped and the tubing extension member retrieved from the well through the lubricator. The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method for running a small diameter pipe attached to a exible line having a strength insufficient to support said pipe through a tubing in a cased well, said pipe being open on both ends and providing a continuou's 'passageway therethrough, which comprises placing said pipe in the upper end of thetubing, forcedly circulating fluid upwardly through the tubing and then moving said small pipe downwardly through said tubing against the circulation of said uid while suspended from said line.

2. A method for` running a'small diameter pipe attached to a flexible line having a strength insufficient to support said pipe through a tubing in a cased well, said pipe being open on both ends and providing a continuous passageway therethrough, which comprises suspending said small diameter pipe in the upper end of said tubing`,'pumping'a fluid into said casing and up said tubing, releasing said small diameter pipe from said suspension, and then lowering said pipe through said tubing by means of said line during the pumping of said fluid until the lower end of said small Ydiameter pipe projects a substantial vdistance from the lower end of 'the tubing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

